A new book reveals the harrowing war diary that Mike Rogers, a British teenage who lost his sister while standing next to him in the Blitz of 1944.
Rogers’ left leg was severed at the mid-thigh by a 1,200lb H.E. bomb that exploded near where Rogers and Sheila were viewing it on February 20, 1944.
The diary was started by him in 1939, when Britain was at the edge of war. It chronicled the everyday, often mundane experiences of a thirteen-year-old British boy with his family.
The story of the boy’s school life, from the beginning to the end in World War Two, was chronicled by the schoolboy in his diary. It was only found in 2020.
Rogers describes the restrictions on many things and how daily life is restricted. He also relates the changes in British climate and military operations across Europe and Africa.
He worked in the aviation industry after World War II and was a freelance writer until his death.
British teenage Mike Rogers (pictured), whose sister died as she stood beside him in the Blitz of 1944, kept a haunting journal chronicling events as they happened.
Wednesday, February 16, 1944
The RAF launched a new attack on Berlin last night – the largest air strike in history. Over 2,500 tonnes of HE, incendiaries and other explosives were dropped within 30 minutes. Over Germany, over 1,000 bombers flew the night.
This was the first all-operational 1,000 bomber assault ever launched, this time no crews being drawn from training stations as they were in 1943 when Cologne, Bremen and Düsseldorf were pounded by a thousand planes.
The Benedictine Monastery in Italy was once again bombed and shelled within the last 24 hours.
Tonight I was able to go to the Odeon and see Betty Hutton (with Dorothy Lamour) in “And the Angels Sing”. It was pretty good. Other was OK. A good old western – ‘The Kansan’ with Richard Dix and Jane Wyatt.
Thursday, 17 February 1944
All the strength of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces was used against the German positions around the Anzio Beachhead.
Stalin has declared the total destruction of the German Eighth Army near Koisum, after a fourteen-day battle.
“In the course of operations,” it states, “the Germans left 52,000 dead on the battlefield. Eleven thousand prisoner were taken. The German weapons and equipment were all taken.
Pacific: News of the large US Naval Task Force’s big attack against Truk in Central Pacific, Japan’s largest naval base.
It continues. There are more than 100 participating aircraft.
Rogers, pictured in his youth, lost his left leg from his mid-thigh at age 17 after a 1,200lb HE bomb exploded opposite where he was watching the raid with his sister Sheila on February 20, 1944
Saturday, February 19, 1944
It was a fantastic air raid that took place last night, just after midnight. When I awoke, I saw that there was a heavy barrage. The window was open and it seemed as light as a day with the colossal cracks.
It kept up with such ferocity and persistence that I got out of bed in the end, and from my front window it certainly was a terrific sight – great glows at several points round the Horizon – clusters of white and red flares below the carpet cloud which prevented any shell bursts being visible, searchlights searching carefully, planes literally zooming very low in the cloud sheet – and the noise!
It’s the most bizarre barrage I’ve ever heard, even after having it for 4 years. At several points, strange white streams emerged from the cloud. They fell to earth at various points. It was like rocket trails that were going down.
Joan and I watched it for quite some time together, as it was breathtaking. Joan and I then retired from the window after 2 swishes.
We heard Sheila shout “Barrage continues” and saw from her window straight up the hill rolls of smoke rising in white light (Smith’s home).
Then I got dressed in trousers and roll mick, a pullover, battledress top, and shoes, then I set off to walk up Cat Hill with Dad.
Dad and I saw a fire at Alexandra Palace’s diner from our opposite. But, it was closer than the one located in Ashurst Road. So I continued walking along Hendon Court Avenue until I reached the ‘dip’ and the house was fully lit.
Also, the gardens on the opposite side of the road contained smoking heaps. This signifies ‘damaged’ incendiary explosives.
One of them burst though again, while I and several 100 Canadian soldiers (it seemed) stood there. The householder immediately appeared in pajamas with a bucket filled of earth and immediately waded into the room.
A torch was held behind my back and someone pointed out a 2ft hole in the front yard.
Although I could only see the UXB from a distance, it was definitely visible. Next, I moved around (by the small alleyway), into Ashurst Road. From there, I walked to the burning house. A couple of NFS-tailer pumps had just taken control.
All of the roof was removed. It was all dark at the bottom. After I got home, I was back at my bed by 3 am.
Joan, Sheila and I took a ride on our bikes around 12.20 this morning.
Belmont Avenue was the first to see a bus carrying 29 passengers. We were told that Cockfosters Road was shut off between Cat Hill Avenue, Belmont Avenue. This proved true as the road had barriers, ‘No Entry Unexploded Bomb’ signs and cops everywhere.
Ashurst Road was shut off as well. There was an unexploded explosive bomb beneath a house cornering the corner at the right-angled curve. Ashurst Road climbs up to the top.
We stared at the burned-out house. Heddon Court Avenue was also closed, probably because of the bomb that I had seen in the hole.
All NFS fire engines could be found at Heddon Court Avenue. It was all very exciting!
Sunday, 20 February 1944
At 10.10pm, an 1,200lb HE bomb was detonated on Cat Hill. Its explosion occurred directly in front of the 99 front door. Sheila as well as I witnessed the attack. They are details that I will never forget, so I won’t record them here.
Around 10.45pm I was admitted into the Wellhouse Hospital, Barnet.
Sheila Warrington Rogers. Sheila Warrington Rogers died 21 February 1944.
East Barnet memorial to the victims of World War Two
A World War Two memorial in East Barnet to those who sacrificed their lives during the conflict, including Sheila Warrington Rogers